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YAG 18th Retreat: Session 1

Text: Exodus
27 September 2013

YAG 18th RETREAT
SESSION #1
Friday, 27 September 2013
Theme: “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP IV”
GOALS OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP RETREAT I-III

1. Recalling some of the Goals

a) The focus was on the Doctrine and Practice of Leadership exemplified by Moses

i) Concept of Spiritual leadership
ii) Contrast of secular leadership
iii) Doctrine of Spiritual leadership
iv) Practice of Spiritual leadership as seen in Moses

b) The focus was on the Outstanding Features of Moses as a Spiritual Leader

i) His faith in God
ii) His walk with God
iii) His prayer-life
iv) His challenges in ministry
v) His spirit in overcoming difficulties

2. Goals of Spiritual Leadership Retreat IV

a) The focus is not on “top tier of leadership”
b) The focus is on “the other tiers of leadership”
c) Shared leadership
d) To stir up the heart to accept opportunities to learn what it means to be a leader
e) To be forewarned that leadership does not prevent problems from arising
f) To be forearmed as to how we may deal with problems when they arise

INTRODUCTION: JETHRO/REUEL            Exodus 3

1. He was a priest of Midian            Exodus 3:1

2. He had seven daughters            Exodus 2:16

3. He owned sheep            Exodus 2:16

4. He was the father-in-law of Moses            Exodus 4:18

5. He took responsibility for Moses when Zipporah refused to go to Egypt with her husband Moses            Exodus 4:19-2

a) Looking after Zipporah
b) Looking after his two grandsons
c) Understanding and supportive

6. He visits Moses after the Exodus from Egypt            Exodus 18

7. Jethro returns Zipporah and her two children to Moses            Exodus 18:5

8. Visit of Jethro with Moses            Exodus 18:7-12

a) Rejoicing with Moses            Exodus 18:9
b) Blessing the Lord            Exodus 18:10
c) Worship of the Lord            Exodus 18:12
d) Fellowship with the Elders of Israel            Exodus 18:12

ADVICE OF JETHRO TO MOSES

1. Jethro’s observation of Moses in ministry            Exodus 18:13-14

a) Moses sat to judge the people            Exodus 18:13
b) Long queue of people waited to see Moses (from morning to evening)            Exodus 18:13

2. Jethro’s questions to Moses            Exodus 18:14

a) What is this thing you are doing for the people?
b) Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?

3. Moses’ reply to Jethro            Exodus 18:15-16

a) The people come to inquire of God
b) When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another
c) I make known the statutes of God and His laws

4. Jethro’s Observations and Advice            Exodus 18:17-23

a) The thing that you do is not good            Exodus 18:17
b) You and the people will wear out            Exodus 18:18a
c) Work is “too much for you”            Exodus 18:18b
d) You are not able to perform it by yourself            Exodus 18:18c
e) Stand before God for the people (Mediator-Intercessor role)            Exodus 18:19
f) Teach the people the laws and statutes of God            Exodus 18:20a
g) Show them the way they must walk            Exodus 18:20b
h) Show them the work they must do            Exodus 18:20c
i) Select from the people potential leaders            Exodus 18:21
j) Qualities of potential leaders            Exodus 18:21

i) Able men
ii) Fear of God
iii) Men of truth
iv) Hating covetousness

k) Responsibilities entrusted            Exodus 18:21

i) Rulers of thousands
ii) Rulers of hundreds
iii) Rulers of fifties
iv) Rulers of tens

l) These will look after “the small matters”            Exodus 18:22
m) The “great matters” will be brought to the attention of Moses            Exodus 18:22
n) Moses will be able to endure better            Exodus 18:23
o) People will go to their place in peace            Exodus 18:23

5. Moses heeded the advice of Jethro            Exodus 18:24-26

a) He chose leaders            Exodus 18:25
b) He appointed them to be heads over the people            Exodus 18:25a
c) They judged the people at all times            Exodus 18:26a
d) They attended to all the “small cases”            Exodus 18:26c
e) The “hard cases” were brought to Moses            Exodus 18:26b

EVALUATION AS TO WHY MOSES HEEDED THE ADVICE OF JETHRO

1. Wisdom Proverbs 1:1-7

a) A wise man will hear and increase learning
b) A man of understanding will attain wise counsel

2. Humility

a) He had already achieved much in leading Israel out of Egypt
b) But he had humility to listen and to learn

3. Respect for the source of wisdom

a) Jethro as a respected father-in-law
b) Jethro had “earned respect”

4. Sensitivity to the Lord’s leading

a) He speaks personally
b) He also communicates through other means